s ship. You had not heard? The Silver Heron is at anchor in
the bay beyond that headland. If I afford you the means, could you swim
to her do you think?"

Lionel stared at him in profoundest amazement. "Do you mock me?" he
asked at length.

"Why should I mock you on such a matter?"

"Is it not to mock me to suggest a way for my deliverance?"

Sakr-el-Bahr laughed, and he mocked now in earnest. He set his left foot
upon the rowers' stretcher, and leaned forward and down his elbow upon
his raised knee so that his face was close to Lionel's.

"For your deliverance?" said he. "God's life! Lionel, your mind was ever
one that could take in naught but your own self. 'Tis that has made
a villain of you. Your deliverance! God's wounds! Is there none but
yourself whose deliverance I might desire? Look you, now I want you to
swim to Sir John's ship and bear him word of the presence here of
this galeasse and that Rosamund is aboard it. 'Tis for her that I am
concerned, and so little for you that should you chance to be drowned in
the attempt my only regret will be that the message was not delivered.
Will you undertake that swim? It is your one sole chance short of death
itself of escaping from the rower's bench. Will you go?"

"But how?" demanded Lionel, still mistrusting him.

"Will you go?" his brother insisted.

"Afford me the means and I will," was the answer.

"Very well." Sakr-el-Bahr leaned nearer still. "Naturally it will
be supposed by all who are watching us that I am goading you to
desperation. Act, then, your part. Up, and attempt to strike me. Then
when I return the blow--and I shall strike heavily that no make-believe
may be suspected--collapse on your oar pretending to swoon. Leave the
rest to me. Now," he added sharply, and on the word rose with a final
laugh of derision as if to take his departure.

But Lionel was quick to follow the instructions. He leapt up in his
bonds, and reaching out as far as they would permit him, he struck
Sakr-el-Bahr heavily upon the face. On his side, too, there was to be no
make-believe apparent. That done he sank down with a clank of shackles
to the bench again, whilst every one of his fellow-slaves that faced his
way looked on with fearful eyes.

Sakr-el-Bahr was seen to reel under the blow, and instantly there was
a commotion on board. Biskaine leapt to his feet with a half-cry of
astonishment; even Asad's eyes kindled with interest at so unusual a
sight as that of a ga